News

Nuclear Leadership Positions Gain Star in Nuke Reforms

—Marc V. Schanz11/17/2014

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Going forward, a four-star general will lead Air
Force Global Strike Command and a three-star general will oversee the Air
Staff’s nuclear directorate under the changes to the Defense Department’s
nuclear enterprise that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel detailed on Friday. “We must change the cultural prestige
of the nuclear mission” and ensure the mission’s profile is commensurate with
its importance among the service’s mission areas, said Hagel in announcing these changes at a Pentagon briefing. That’s why he
said he endorsed the Air Force proposal to elevate the AFGSC’s commander to a
four-star billet and the Air Staff office to a three-star position. Beyond
incentive-pay reforms and personnel actions, Hagel said the Air Force has
identified some $150 million in Fiscal 2015 for investment in equipment and
facilities. For example, the Air Force intends to upgrade its fleet of
four-wheel-drive vehicles that service the ICBM fields, update security
forces gear, and enhance ICBM training facilities and communications. The Air Force
will also move forward with replacing its fleet of UH-1 utility helicopters that
help protect the ICBM fields and will improve their infrastructure. It will
also upgrade weapons storage facilities at four locations starting with F.E.
Warren AFB, Wyo.
(Hagel’s prepared comments and DOD factsheet)